The Half-Blood Princess
Chapter 9
Gwen and Draco gathered together their school things that were scattered around both Draco's room and throughout the Malfoy Manor. They were to leave to go back to Hogwarts early with Severus via apparition in a few hours. Narcissa wanted to have a smaller goodbye dinner for them before they left, so they were packing quickly to be able to get to dinner in fifteen minutes.
"Did you see where I put my nightgown?" She asked him panicking slightly.
"It's over in the dresser. Bottom drawer near the front." He told her also packing frantically. She went over to the dresser and took out the nightgown from where Draco had said it would be.
"Thanks. Here's your night shirt." She said handing him the shirt and putting the gown into her trunk.
They packed up a few more things before considering it done. They each went into Draco's bathroom and freshened up their appearances so that they would look presentable. The Dark Lord was after all back here and would be dining with them. When they were satisfied with their appearances, they went to the door.
"Ready?" Draco asked her. She kissed him a few times before breaking away and smiling.
"I am now." They pushed open the doors to his room; their trunks shrunk in their pockets, and went downstairs to the formal dining area. They sat next to each other, masks of indifference on their faces.
Secretly, they could not wait to get to Hogwarts. They felt somewhat freer there than elsewhere. Sure it wasn't like they could do anything that they wanted at school, but they could do what they had to do and still be somewhat lovey-dovey at the same time.
Dinner went silently and soon it was time to go back to school. Draco and Gwen hugged Narcissa and Draco shook his father's hand and Gwen gave him a hug goodbye. Severus looked at Lucius amusedly as his daughter awkwardly hugged her future father-in-law. He winked at Lucius reminding the man of their conversation earlier the previous day. Had it really been so long ago? Severus thought.
With that the threesome stepped out of the Manor and disapparated to the gates outside Hogwarts. They proceeded to the castle quickly in silence. Once they were back in the castle, Severus went to go check his office for any messages and Gwen and Draco went to their rooms to put their trunks back before they met Severus in the Room of Requirement. They all stood around the cup on the table as they contemplated how to get rid of the horcrux inside. Severus began to swish his wand around the cup, creating a shield around it.
"Gwen, I want you to add to my shield charms. Draco, I want you to cast Fiendfyre at the cup. Hopefully it will just hit the cup and kill the horcrux." They each did as they were told and worked on getting the horcrux gone. They carefully went on to kill the horcrux. When they were finished, the cup remained, but looked like it was near to fall apart. Gwen smiled at the two men with her.
"We're nearly there." She said conspiratorially quiet. Severus took the cup and stole away back to his office.
Severus returned to his office and hid the cup into one of the hiding spots Albus had shown him before he had died. He then went to the portrait of the man who had held this office before him and sat down next to it.
"It's all up to Harry now. There's just him and Nagini left." Severus said quietly.
"Very good. Hopefully this will all be done soon." Dumbledore said smiling sadly at Severus. Severus looked sadly up at the portrait. He let himself cry a little from both the relief that the business with Voldemort would be done soon and that everything might be all the more dangerous now. Once Voldemort realized that the horcruxes were in danger, his paranoia would set in and then he would be unpredictable. Even he might not be safe once Voldemort decided that no one could be trusted.
The next few weeks went by slowly. Each day they hoped to hear something about any progress made by the Trio, but none came. Gwen finally called Zita to her. Zita popped into the room about five minutes later. "Mistress Gwen. How can I help you?"
"Have you been with Harry, Ron, and Hermione? What progress are they making?"
"I have been. They have been trying to figure out the last horcrux."
"I need to talk with them. Can you bring them here to meet me in the headmaster's office?"
"I will ask them. I think we can arrange it."
"Thanks, Zita." Zita apperated away. She had Draco and Severus join her in Severus's office. After waiting about fifteen minutes, Zita apperated in with the Trio.
"How should we proceed?" Harry asked looking at Severus.
"We could go one of two ways. First, we could continue to delay you and Voldemort meeting. But we both know that doing that will not be helpful. The other option is we can try to have the final battle occur on our terms." Severus said.
"Where?" Hermione asked.
"We want to have it away from the school if possible. Keep the students safe." Severus said looking at all five students.
"Yes, that would be ideal." Harry said taking charge.
"The Ministry might be an option. I'm not 100% sure of what our numbers would be if we go there. We might be safer choosing a strategic location. There is a moor south of Godric's Hollow that has a large hill that if we take hold first, could help give us an advantage." Everyone considered that for a moment.
"It makes sense to me. Godric's Hollow is where this all started for me, so it will be where it all ends for him."
"When will it be?" Gwen asked hesitantly.
"If we try for tomorrow night, we'll have plenty of time to get word to the Order and anyone else." Ron said.
"You'll need to let him know that I plan to be there." Harry told Severus looking at him concerned.
"I know." Severus said looking back.
"So we can get word to the Order." Ron said.
"I'll make sure he's there." Severus said quietly.
"So that's it… We'll try to get there tomorrow afternoon to scout it out." Gwen said summing up the plan.
"Ok. We'll be heading out then." Hermione said getting up.
"Wait…Dumbledore wanted me to tell you this Harry and you alone. Please." Severus said almost pleading.
"What?" Harry said looking at Severus, as Severus led him over to the other part of the headmaster's office and sitting down.
"The horcruxes that are left are Nagini and you." Severus said taking Harry's hand. "Here." Severus said holding the Pensieve out for Harry, the white mists swirling around in the basin. Harry went into the basin alone, watching the memories as they echoed telling him that he was the accidental horcrux. He emerged with a saddened look about him. He met Severus's eyes and for a moment neither said anything. Severus waited for Harry to make the first move. Harry took a deep breath and gave Severus a quick hug.
"Thanks." Harry said letting go before turning away to rejoin Ron and Hermione. "We'll see you all tomorrow afternoon." With that Zita took the Trio's hands and disapperated with a crack, leaving Severus, Gwen and Draco in the headmaster's office.
Disclaimer: I only own Gwen and Zita, everything else goes to JK Rowling.
Author's Note: I'm sorry this took so long. I'm hoping to finish this and finally put it to rest. I hope that everyone likes the direction that the fic is heading in.